From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 July 1794
To Henry Knox
Philadelphia July 14th 1794
Sir.
I have given the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Captn Willm A. Lee—and the Petition which accompanied it to have him restored—an attentive perusal.1
The judgment of the Court is, in my opinion, well supported by evidence (except in the article of nonconformity with the order of arrest; in this, the explanation of an expression of Captn Campbell may have led him into the error he committed, that it afforded the pretext, is obvious).2
On an abstract view of this case, I should feel no disposition (on account of the inebrity, and the high handed proceeding towds the centinal which are proved) to alleviate the mortification felt by Captn Lee on acct of his dismission, by a re-appointment of him in some other Corps. But when I consider his former services, and the time he has been in the present army. The interest which the Officers thereof (who have the best means of becoming acquainted with his merits) have taken in this affair. That the sentence under which he is smarting may be a warning to him in future. And that (though not alone sufficient) his connections are most respectable, & are made unhappy by his present disgrace; these considerations combined, induced me to give him the Company of Artillery become vacant by the non-acceptance of —— Williamson, and I desire the Commission may be prepared accordingly.3
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. The proceedings and petition, submitted with Knox’s letter to GW of 12 July, have not been identified.
2. Robert Mis Campbell (d. 1794) of South Carolina was appointed a cavalry lieutenant in March 1792 and promoted to captain later that year. He died in the Battle of Fallen Timbers on 20 August.
3. Washington was referring to Benjamin Williamson of New Jersey, who had been appointed an artillery captain on 2 June. Williamson was appointed a dragoon captain in January 1799, became a deputy paymaster general in November of that year, and served until June 1802. William Aylett Lee’s appointment as artillery captain was submitted to the Senate, along with other military promotions and appointments, on 29 Dec., but on 7 Jan. 1795 that body refused consent to his nomination (Senate Executive Journal, 167, 169).